Goldwater Esslin
Waiheke Island
Merlot 1999

Apellation:
Waiheke Island

Vineyard:
Causeway Road

Winemakers:
Kim Goldwater, Martin Pickering

 
Winemaker Comments
 Made entirely from hand picked grapes grown in the Goldwater Estate Waiheke Island Esslin vineyard which was established from specially selected clones of merlot privately imported from France. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 13 months in new and 1 year old French oak.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Intense, deep crimson.
  Bouquet:
 Plums and spice with cedary oak.
  Palate:



 The palate is rich, mouthfilling and beautifully balanced, with rich spicy fruit, good concentration and impressive complexity. Intense red with masses of plum, cassis, spice, liquorice and some gamey flavours. The tannins are rich, fine and ripe and will ensure the longevity of the wine.
Cellaring Potential
This wine will cellar well for 10 - 20 years. Best drinking 2003 onwards.
Food Suggestions
Rich flavourful meat dishes and blue cheeses.
Awards Received/Media Comments
Judged New Zealand's Finest Merlot - Cuisine Magazine (96/100 points).
  Wine of the Year - Home & Entertaining Magazine
  90 points - Wine Spectator Magazine, 15 Nov 2000, "Supple and generous, a remarkably graceful wine that frames it's berry, spice, peppermint and chocolate flavours with elegance, letting the flavours ring true on the lengthy finish. Tannins are fine and beautifully integrated. Drink now through 2009."
Short Description
A very characterful and potential-packed wine with immense flavour and great structure, crying out for cellaring for at least 3 years.
Technical Notes
Alcohol 13% by volume
  Residual Sugar Dry
  Date Picked 30 March 1999, Brix 23.4 °
  Date Bottled 24 July 2000
  Production 325 cases made